Student Financial Services Specialist

Enterprise State Community College; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawson State Community College is seeking a Student Financial Services Specialist to provide financial aid services and assist students with educational expense resources. The role involves hands-on use of Banner/Ellucian modules for application processing, eligibility determinations, and counseling.

Strong customer service and accurate documentation are essential. The position includes administering Title IV programs, audits, and reporting, with collaboration across the Student Financial

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Three years of experience in a customer service-related field.
• Experience in higher education, financial aid administration, or student services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Utilize Banner/Ellucian modules to collect, review and evaluate financial aid applications for eligibility determination in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Assist in reconciling federal, state and institutional financial aid programs through Banner reporting tools and system audits.
• Provide financial aid counseling to students and families regarding application processes, eligibility criteria, and award management using Banner.
• Provide optimal customer service through courteous, responsive and professional written and verbal communication, including documentation in Banner communication management.
• Assist in maintaining accurate reporting to federal and state agencies for Title IV programs using Banner system reports.

Skills

Customer service experience

Communications skills

MS Word

MS Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Sociology / Psychology / Management / Accounting

Tools

Banner

Job description

The Student Financial Services Specialist is responsible for providing financial aid services and assisting students in securing resources for educational expenses.

Salary Schedule: Appropriate placement on Salary Schedule E3 04 ($41,349-$59,401) based on experience.

1. Utilize Banner/Ellucian modules to collect, review and evaluate financial aid applications for eligibility determination in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
2. Assist the Director of Student Financial Services in reconciling federal, state and institutional financial aid programs through Banner reporting tools and system audits.
3. Provide financial aid counseling to students and families regarding application processes, eligibility criteria, and award management using student records in Banner.
4. Provide optimal customer service through courteous, responsive and professional written and verbal communication, including documentation in the Banner communication management.
5. Assist in maintaining accurate and timely reporting to federal and state agencies for Title IV Programs (Pell Grant, FSEOG, FWS), Veterans Benefits, State Grant and ANGEAP and scholarships using Banner system reports.
6. Assist in the oversight of the FWS student employment program.
7. Verify student data accuracy by reviewing ISIR data, federal tax transcripts, and verification documents entered or scanned into Banner. Ensure resolution of conflicting information.
8. Conduct proactive follow-up with students through Banner communication tracking and task lists for incomplete financial aid files, requesting missing documentation as required.
9. Process and package student financial aid award using Banner, applying federal regulations for eligibility and award notifications through Banner self-service or communication modules.
10. Respond accurately and professionally to questions and requests from students, parents, and staff utilizing Banner student records and reports for case resolution.
11. Scan and index all financial aid documents in the document imaging system (BDMS/Content), ensuring proper attachment to the students official Banner Record.
12. Participate in annual internal reviews and audits of student financial aid files and Banner system data to ensure compliance and accuracy.
13. Participate in the planning and organization of the awarding process to ensure compliance, maintain control of manual and automated information for accurate and timely processing of applications.
14. Assist in development and implementation of office procedures, including those related to Banner operations, data integrity, and system security.
15. Generate and transmit regulatory reports for specialized financial aid programs using Banner reporting tools (Argos, SQL Queries).
16. Prepare award notifications for students eligible for Title IV Aid and institutional aid programs using automated processes within Banner.
17. Participate on college committees as assigned.
18. Participate in professional development activities and utilizes information to enhance performance of job duties.
19. Perform all other job-related duties as requested and may be designated to lead or support specific operational functions, as designated by the Director or Assistant Director of Student Financial Services or appropriate administrator.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sociology, Psychology, Management, Accounting or a related area from a regionally accredited university.
2. Three (3) years of experience in a customer service-related field.
3. Experience in higher education, financial aid administration, or student services.

REQUIRED LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, OR SPECIAL CREDENTIALS:

None

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1. Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
2. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
3. Ability to effectively respond to questions from supervisors, faculty, staff, students, and the general public.

Lawson State Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.

Lawson State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants upon request.

In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and Guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Lawson State Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.